/kill
Kills entities (players, mobs, or other entities). If no target is specified, kills the executing entity.
Overview
Kills entities (players, mobs, or other entities). If no target is specified, kills the executing entity. In vanilla Minecraft Java Edition it is one of the player commands and has been available since version 1.0.
It is invoked as /kill [ and accepts one optional argument ([targets]).
This command deals max void damage which bypasses resistance, totems, and absorption. Creative mode players can still be killed by this command.
The damage dealt is the out-of-world (void) damage type, which ignores armour, Resistance, absorption and totems of undying.
Creative-mode players are immune to most damage but are not immune to /kill.
Syntax & Arguments
/kill [<targets>]The full syntax is /kill [. Angle brackets < > mark required arguments and square brackets [ ] mark optional ones; a vertical bar | between words means you pick exactly one of those literals. Every argument is optional, so the bare command is valid on its own. The argument [targets] may be omitted, in which case the command falls back to the executing entity.
- targets
- Optional, of type an entity. The entity or entities to kill. Defaults to the executor if omitted.
Parameters
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| targets | entity | Optional | The entity or entities to kill. Defaults to the executor if omitted. |
Examples
The 3 examples below are ready to copy and adapt. For instance, /kill @e[type=zombie] kills all zombie entities in the world. Each example varies the arguments to show a different real use of /kill; read the note under every snippet to see exactly what changes.
/kill @e[type=zombie]Kills all zombie entities in the world.
/kill @e[type=!player]Kills all entities except players.
/kill @sKills the player who runs the command.
Permission Level & Requirements
/kill sits at permission Level 2 - Game Master / Cheats, which means it needs permission level 2, the level cheats grant to single-player worlds and that operators hold by default.
In a single-player world you must have "Allow Cheats" turned on (or open the world to LAN with cheats) before it will run; on a multiplayer server the player needs to be an operator at the matching level.
This reference describes the Java Edition 1.21 form of the command; Bedrock Edition may use slightly different argument formats.
Common Mistakes
- Running /kill @e without filtering, this kills ALL entities including players, item frames, armor stands, and dropped items.
- Forgetting that killed players drop their inventory unless keepInventory is true.
Notes
This command deals max void damage which bypasses resistance, totems, and absorption. Creative mode players can still be killed by this command.
Related Commands
If /kill is part of your toolkit, the commands below are the ones you will most often reach for alongside it: /tp, /effect, and /damage. They cover closely related tasks, so the links above jump straight to each one.
/tp
/effectFrequently Asked Questions about /kill
What does the /kill command do in Minecraft?
Kills entities (players, mobs, or other entities). If no target is specified, kills the executing entity. It belongs to the player command group and was added in Java Edition 1.0.
What is the correct syntax for /kill?
/kill [
What permission level does /kill need?
It requires permission Level 2 - Game Master / Cheats. On a server the player must be an operator at that level, or have cheats enabled in single-player.
What is a common mistake when using /kill?
Running /kill @e without filtering, this kills ALL entities including players, item frames, armor stands, and dropped items.
Can you give an example of /kill in use?
Yes. /kill @e[type=!player] — kills all entities except players.
Does /kill bypass a Totem of Undying?
Yes. /kill applies out-of-world damage that ignores totems, the Resistance effect, absorption hearts and armour, so the target dies regardless of protection.
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